Verizon Wireless Introduces HopeLine^SM Phone Recycling Program In Ithaca New York To Benefit Tompkins County Task Force Against Domestic Violence

Verizon Wireless Introduces HopeLine^SM Phone Recycling Program In Ithaca New York To Benefit Tompkins County Task Force Against Domestic Violence

To Help Fight Domestic Violence, Customers Encouraged to Donate Wireless Phones No Longer in Use at the Company's South Meadow Street Store

April 22, 2002

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ITHACA, NY

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Beginning tomorrow, domestic violence victims and prevention organizations will benefit from the introduction of Verizon Wireless' national HopeLine^SM phone recycling program in the Ithaca area. A month-long used phone collection drive begins this Tuesday, April 23, at the company's Communications Store at 726 South Meadow Street in Ithaca, and will benefit the Tompkins County Task Force Against Domestic Violence.

The public is encouraged to join the recycling effort to ensure HopeLine can benefit as many domestic violence victims as possible. Wireless phones no longer in use can be dropped off at the South Meadow Street store, where the phone drive will kick off at a special introduction event Tuesday from 3-5 p.m. The event will be broadcast by WYXL-FM.

In addition, for every 10 phones collected during the month-long phone drive, Verizon Wireless will donate one wireless phone to the Tompkins County Task Force. The wireless carrier has pledged a minimum of 10 phones to the organization.

All phones collected will be refurbished, recycled or sold. Proceeds (including phones, service and cash) are donated to non-profit domestic violence shelters and advocacy organizations. Phone donations may be tax-deductible.

"Many of us have an old wireless phone or two lying around the house," said John Palmer, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region. "What better way to get a start on your spring cleaning and potentially save a person's life than to donate wireless phones no longer in use to fight domestic violence?"

In addition to phone recycling, the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program consists of:

• Donations of refurbished wireless phones and voice mailboxes to women at domestic violence shelters
• Cash donations to shelters to help women in transition

People who are unable to get to the Central Avenue store are encouraged to donate their used phones directly to the HopeLine program. Wireless phones can be sent to:

People who are unable to get to the Ithaca store are encouraged to donate their used phones directly to the HopeLine program. Wireless phones can be sent to:

HopeLine Program
c/o Verizon Wireless
1776 East Ellsworth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program was created in 1995 to put wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. A wireless phone can be a lifeline to help for a domestic violence victim who finds herself in a dangerous or threatening situation. Last year alone, the company donated more than 4,000 phones and $350,000 to this cause nationwide.

For more information about HopeLine, customers can call 1-800-426-2790 between
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM EST Monday through Saturday, and between 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST on Sunday. Customers can also visit the Web at www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 30 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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